WAKE FOREST, N.C. – If, as many believe, the framers of the Constitution held Judeo-Christian values, they saw the social benefits of the freedom to spread religious ideals. And certainly it is easy to assert that same-sex marriage does not fit with the Judeo-Christian worldview.

But what if, in this liberal democracy, Christians find themselves in the cultural minority, and same-sex marriage is legalized? How will those who identify as followers of Christ react to such a monumental shift in the culture?

Christians should not let such a thing rattle their faith. Cultural disgust should not stop the work of the Kingdom.

And we must think about this: How will our response affect our children?

I can remember as a young 8-year-old boy observing my father in the 1996 presidential election. An avowed politically conservative, pro-family and pro-life citizen, my father would watch and comment as the campaigns unfolded. He may not have realized it, but I was watching his every move.

I still have memories of him watching the campaign speeches, the TV ads and the news reports. I still remember his demeanor as drastically different from other adults I observed. Some in our church were disgusted with the election’s results. My father’s reaction was different. He was not shaken. To this day, he is the most unwavering man I know, and this speaks volumes to his child. For those of you who are parents, heed this: How you react to the world and the happenings in it will set an example for your children.

We can’t simply stop paying our taxes because we don’t like how things are going, remembering the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 13: “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. So then, the one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgment on themselves.” Until we are forced to do something contrary to the will of our Lord, we must obey the law to the fullest.

We must hold strong in our faith because people will see the glory of the God Most High, and He will be praised.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Mark Heath is a former Christian worker in Iraq and currently a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.)